Guam Doctors Seek National Backing To Raise The Price Of Cigarettes On Island
Jump to full article: Guam News Factor (gu), 2009-06-05
Intro: It’s a very simple and straightforward resolution that the Guam Medical Society will hand carry to the American Medical Association:
Whereas Guam has the highest tobacco use per capita of any US state or territory; and
Whereas Guam has a corresponding highest cancer and cardiovascular rate attributed to tobacco use; and
Whereas it is hoped that an increased tax would move to correct the health problem wrought by tobacco products and secondarily bring necessary increase in revenue to Government of Guam to address the health problems associated with tobacco use; therefore be it
RESOLVED, that our American Medical Association endorse the Guam Medical Society (GMS) efforts to have local legislation to sharply increase the Guam tobacco tax, which is the lowest in United States of America, in order to decrease the consumption of industrialized tobacco products.
It is almost disarming in its simplicity and misleading in its far reaching effects on our island. Yet, the simple words on this resolution will signify the beginning of a political fight that will separate those who care about our people and those who care only about the money to be made in the big business of tobacco. . . .
While the Guam Medical Society has a tough fight ahead of them, they will not be alone. The Factor supports this valiant effort.
In the end, for the doctors of the Guam Medical Society, this campaign is about saving lives. But for big tobacco on Guam, it's all about the money!
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